Fitzroy and Los Glaciares Trekking

Explore the iconic peaks and glaciers of Fitzroy, Cerro Torre, and the Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina’s Los Glaciares National Park. This Patagonian adventure lets you enjoy some of the most rewarding (and challenging!) hikes but still overnight in lodges.

This trip begins in El Calafate, Argentina. You will be picked up from the airport or from your hotel by 1:30pm on the first day. Depending on your international and domestic flights, you may need to overnight in El Calafate or Buenos Aires. We can help you arrange hotels and transportation.

Trip End

This trip can end in either El Calafate, Argentina, or in Punta Arenas Chile. If ending in El Calafate, you will be dropped off at the airport at 10:00am. If ending in Punta Arenas, you will be dropped off at your hotel in the evening, and you will need to spend the night in this town before onward travel. We can help you arrange a hotel.

Trip Segment or Complete Package?

This trip is a complete packaged trip for the Argentinian Patagonia. Depending on your flights, you may need to spend the night in Buenos Aires and we can help you arrange these services. We can also help you add to your journey with trips to the Lake Disctrict, Mendoza, Iguazu Falls, and other destinations in Latin America.

Argentine Patagonia is one of the most spectacular regions in the world, and the 6-day Fitzroy and Los Glaciares Trekking trip explores the most stunning part, Los Glaciares National Park, by foot. Cerro Torre and Mount Fitzroy can only be truly appreciated by hiking up close to the peaks, and the Perito Moreno Glacier comes alive when you walk on its ice. Relax in quaint Patagonian hotels each night after long walks to see the best of Patagonia.

TRIP DESCRIPTION

Mount Fitzroy and Cerro Torre are two of Patagonia’s iconic peaks, and no roads lead up to them. The best way to experience them is by taking the long way to get close to their bases. This trek explores the area around both peaks and also explores the equally famous Perito Moreno Glacier with its classic views of ice chunks calving into the water.

Day one of this trek involves traveling to El Chalten, Argentina, a small town at the edge of Los Glaciares National Park from either Torres del Paine National Park in Chile, or El Calafate, Argentina. The first three nights are spent in a classic Patagonian inn.

After a good night’s sleep the trekking begins, with long but not overly difficult treks to Laguna Torre at the base of Cerro Torre and then to Laguna de los Tres at the base of Mount Fitzroy. The third day of trekking is much shorter, but it involves hiking uphill for an hour to reach the viewpoint at Mirador de las Carretas with excellent views of Cerro Torre and the region around Mount Fitzroy.

After this walk you transfer back to El Calafate where you spend the next two nights at a beautiful hotel outside of town. The next day you travel to the Perito Moreno Glacier where you board a boat to view the southern wall of the glacier. Then you hike a short ways to glacier and put on crampons to walk out onto the ice, before ending at a small bar serving cocktails in glacier ice. Finally you move to the main glacier viewpoints to see the north side’s giant walls with chunks of ice calving off into the water below. After one more night in El Calafate your Los Glaciares trip is done and everyone will head on to their next destination.

LOCAL OPERATOR: CASCADA EXPEDICIONES

Since 1991 Cascada Expediciones has been offering eco-friendly opportunities for travelers to let go of normal life and refresh with energizing connections to nature. With a strong focus on providing innovative, high-quality experiences — trips in which each traveler enjoys every moment of a trip — Cascada has refreshed nearly 30,000 people. Headquartered in Santiago, a trip of a lifetime with Cascada can include activities ranging from trekking, mountaineering, horseback riding, biking, rafting, fly fishing, kayaking, skiing, wildlife safari and photography, multisport itineraries to winery tours. In engaging the outdoors Cascada-style, every traveler is made to feel relaxed and energized by each activity; nourished rather than weary.

More good feeling comes in knowing the money spent on a Cascada trip stays in the Chilean economy. Moreover, the money stays with a company and people who have a deep respect for the environment. The staff and guides live an eco-friendly life, sharing the environmentally sustainable philosophy put into practice over the life of the company. So firm in its understanding of nature’s importance, Cascada became a carbon neutral company in 2008 and, between June 2009 and 2010, offset more than 183 tons of CO2 emissions. With a goal of becoming entirely CO2-free, Cascada encourages its travelers, suppliers and shareholders to help by standing by its philosophy.

In El Calafate, a local guide will meet us at our hotel or the airport, and give us a trip briefing as we tuck into lunch. Next we will continue with a semiprivate transfer to El Chalten, a tiny outpost beside Los Glaciares National Park, and at the foot of the impressive Mount Fitz Roy. The drive will take us across isolated dirt roads, through the pampas and along the northern end of Viedma lake. Once we’ve checked into our hotel in El Chalten, it’s time to get some rest and prepare for the upcoming days.

Overnight Hosteria Senderos 3*, El Chalten (Lunch)

Note: The order of your excursions in El Chaltén might vary based on logistics consideration.

DAY 2: Hike to Laguna Torre

Today you’re off for a full day of hiking along the Cerro Torre trail to Laguna Torre, a stunning mountain lake with the majestic Mount Torre in the background. You set off after breakfast walking eastward following the trail through beech forest toward Fitz Roy River. You continue toward Base Camp de Agostini and then do a short hike to Laguna Torre, admiring the western view of Cerro Torre and the Adela range. Icebergs can be seen peacefully floating on Laguna Torre as the wind pushes them toward the coast. You stop at various points to appreciate the magnificent view and enjoy a picnic. Later, you return to Chalten following the same trail. Upon your return, you are free to enjoy a delicious dinner at one of Chalten’s cozy restaurants before heading back to the hotel from the previous night.

Today you trek to Laguna Los Tres, with a great view of Mount Fitz Roy — the landmark of Los Glaciares National Park! You begin your hike by heading toward Laguna Capri, passing its northern corner. Then you follow the Fitz Roy Trail up to Blanco river, passing the mountaineering camp Poicenot. Finally, a short steep trail takes us to Laguna de Los Tres where you witness one of the park’s most marvelous natural scenes — the turquoise-blue of the lagoon framed by Fitz Roy’s spires and glaciers. Here is the perfect time to enjoy a picnic and soak up the scenery while relaxing in such a memorable place. When everyone’s ready you hike back to Laguna Capri and continue along the trail back to tiny Chalten to spend the final night in your hotel here.

Today you’ll do a short morning trek along the Pliegue Tumbado trail. After an hour trekking up the hill you’ll reach Mirador de las Carretas with an excellent view of Cerro Torre and the best sights around Mount Fitzroy. You return to Chalten to gather your luggage and begin the journey back to Calafate. You’re dropped off at the terminal to board the midday bus (in April you take the afternoon bus), following the same road lined with Argentinean pampas that welcomed you upon your arrival. You arrive in El Calafate in the afternoon with plenty of time to rest, walk around town and look for a nice place to have dinner before heading back to the Calafate hotel.

You enjoy an early breakfast and board the minibus heading to Perito Moreno glacier. After a couple of hours you reach Los Glaciares National Park and continue driving to Bajo de las Sombras bay sector where you board the boat that sails approximately 20 minutes on Lago Rico to reach the southern wall of the glacier. On the other side the guide gives you a short talk about the formation of glaciers with other interesting details about local geology. From this point you take a short walk to the edge of the glacier where you’re given crampons to fit to your shoes. Now you start the ice trekking adventure! As you walk ahead you have spectacular views of the glacier and its surroundings. Your trek finishes at a little ice bar serving whisky on freshly chopped millenary ice from the glacier.

After having lunch, you continue to the footbridges with multiple viewpoints of the glacier’s incredible north side with its mighty cracking walls. Here you’re free to enjoy the surroundings at your leisure. After the thrilling encounter with the glacier, you drive back to Calafate for the final night in your hotel here.

Alternatively you can choose to do the “Big Ice” glacier hike also on Glacier Perito Moreno (additional costs apply – age limit 10 to 50 years old).

Trek to the heart of Perito Moreno Glacier, crossing ice crevasses and exploring ice caves along the way! The excursion begins with a boat ride across the lagoon, departing from “Bajo de las Sombras” port. During the navigation, we admire the imposing ice wall of the glacier that we will soon walk on. After disembarking, we hike for 1.5 hours across the moraine to reach the access point of the glacier. As soon as we put on our crampons, we are ready for the big ice hike. With our knowledgeable bilingual guides, we will trek deep into the glacier, full of creaks, cracks and caves. Our physical efforts will be rewarded by the glacier revealing all its splendour as we get closer and closer to its heart, where we have lunch surrounded by the deep blue of the million year-old ice. After the hike, which lasts about 3.5 hours, we head back the same way and cruise on the lake for 20 minutes, during which we get within a hairbreadth of the southern wall of the glacier. Please see the price section for additional costs.

Note: Due to operational insurance issues, the age limit for doing the ice trekking on Perito Moreno Glacier is 65 years old. If a passenger exceeds this age then an alternative excursion to the Glacier will be arranged.

DAY 6: Depart Calafate

Today marks the end of your memorable trip — adios Patagonia, hopefully we’ll meet again! After having breakfast, a transfer will take you to the airport and you’re free to continue traveling on your own or to take another extension with Cascada. (Breakfast)

OPTIONAL FINISH IN PUNTA ARENAS

Note: This option has an additional fee that will be added to your overall trip pricing. See Pricing Tab for more details.

DAY 6: Heading to Punta Arenas

Punta Arenas, Chile

An early transfer will take you to the Calafate bus terminal. There you board the public bus going to Puerto Natales, arriving around midday. A Cascada representative will be waiting to take you to the office. When you’re ready you board the next public bus going to Punta Arenas city, where another Cascada representative will be waiting to arrange the transfer to the hotel. Overnight Hotel La Plaza 3*, Punta Arenas

DAY 7: Airport Punta Arenas

Punta Arenas, Chile

After breakfast you will be driven to the airport.

travel logistics

Getting To and From the Trip:

Starting this Trip in El Calafate, Argentina: You will be picked up from the El Calafate Airport, bus station, or from your hotel in El Calafate by 1:30pm on Day 1 of this trip. Depending on your international and domestic flights, you may need to overnight in El Calafate the night before, or in Buenos Aires. We can help you arrange all necessary hotels and transportation.

Starting this Trip in Torres Del Paine National Park, Chile: Some travelers take this trip as an extension to their stay in Torres del Paine. If so, the pick up time is at 9:30am on Day 1 from EcoCamp. We can help you arrange this if you are interested in spending time in both the Chilean and Argentinian sides of Patagonia.

Ending this Trip in El Calafate, Argentina: You will be dropped off at the El Calafate Airport, bus station, or your hotel by 10:00am on Day 6. If you are catching an internal flight this day, please make sure it departs after 12:00pm in order to give yourself enough time to check in. If you are staying extra time in El Calafate, we can help you arrange hotels, transportation, and day tours to make this trip exactly as you want it.

Ending this Trip in Punta Arenas, Chile: You will be dropped off at your hotel in Punta Arenas, Chile in the evening on Day 6. You will need to overnight here before continuing with your travels. Your internal Chile flights, bus, or next tour can start at any point the next day (Day 7). Please note, this option has an additional fee. You can see the details in the Pricing Tab.

Domestic Argentina & International Flights: We at Detour do not arrange flights, but we can connect you with our travel partner Exito Travel. They specialize in international and domestic flights in Latin America.

Trip Start: This trip begins in El Calafate, Argentina. You will be picked up from the airport or from your hotel by 1:30pm on the first day. Depending on your international and domestic flights, you may need to overnight in El Calafate or Buenos Aires. We can help you arrange hotels and transportation.

Trip End: This trip can end in either El Calafate, Argentina, or in Punta Arenas Chile. If ending in El Calafate, you will be dropped off at the airport at 10:00am. If ending in Punta Arenas, you will be dropped off at your hotel in the evening, and you will need to spend the night in this town before onward travel. We can help you arrange a hotel.

Complete Your Trip

Getting all the way down to Patagonia isn’t easy, what else can you do while you’re there? If you want to see all the most amazing parts of Patagonia, we recommend going to Torres del Paine National Park in Chile in addition to this trip. We also recommending heading even further south to Ushuaia (Argentina) and exploring Tierra del Fuego National Park, either by hiking or by naturalist cruise. We have packages for all of these trips, and we can help make your trip exactly the way you want it.

Since you’re going to be in Argentina, we recommend exploring some of the other parts of this beautiful country: staying on a hacienda and working with gauchos, wildlife viewing in Peninsula Valdez, wine tasting in Mendoza, biking and paddling in Bariloche and the Lake District, getting a taste of the Amazon at Iguazu Falls, and experiencing the romance of Buenos Aires. We can help you with all of this and more.

* Small Group Supplement: The group sizes of 2+ travelers refers to the overall group size, not you and your travel companion. If you are a solo traveler, and you join a departure with travelers already booked onto it, you will pay the 2+ traveler trip price plus the single supplement for your own room. If you are a solo traveler and you join this trip on a date that doesn’t have any other travelers booked onto it, you will pay the 2+ traveler trip price, plus the single room supplement, plus the small group supplement. Once other travelers join, the small group supplement will be removed.

2019 PRICES:

For 2019 pricing, please inquire using the “I am Interested” button above or by calling 1-866-386-4168.

2020 PRICES:

Trip Dates:

This trip can start on any day from October 1 to April 30, pending availability.

Family Trip Dates:

There are no departures geared specifically to families, but families are welcome to join on any date!

Accommodations and services in Buenos Aires (can be added upon request)

Argentina reciprocity fee (if applicable)

Accommodations

Hosteria Senderos in El Chalten (Nights 1, 2, & 3). Located in Los Glaciares National Park, at the foot of Mount Fitz Roy, this 3-star classic Patagonian inn in Chalten offers warm, professional service.Classic Room at Hostera SenderosHosteria Sierra Nevada in El Calafate (Nights 4 & 5). Integrated into the beautiful scenery of Los Glaciers National Park, a fifteen minute walk from the city centre of Calafate, this 3* hotel has wonderful gardens and views.Double room at Hosteria Sierra Nevada

Rooming Options

ROOMING OPTIONS: Double, Triple, Single, Single Supplement

1 review for Fitzroy and Los Glaciares Trekking

Rated 5 out of 5

Rick –November 30, 2013

I did the Fitzroy and Los Glaciares Trek first, followed by the W-Trek in Torres de la Paine, which is the order I would definitely recommend. The Fitzroy area is spectacular and the guides were excellent. I hiked the first two days with Marcello and the third day with Pella. They are very competent knowledgeable guides and I learned much about the local area, flora, and fauna. They hiked at a very pleasant pace, slower than I’m used to, which allowed me to experience everything around me like I haven’t normally done. I consider that a lesson learned in how to be in the moment and not obsessed with accomplishing the hike.